Birthday Dinner at Travail Kitchen and Amusements

For my 17th birthday my parents took me to Travail Kitchen and Amusements. Chef Mike Brown and his staff created a stunning 4 course family style meal. We were seated around the Rookery in a semi-private room which gave us a traditional viewing experience of the chefs creating beautiful food. The first course was a Truffle Omelet with a ham and chive spread. Our second course was Scallop Carpaccio with Fondue Bernaisse and Sunchoke. The third course was a slow roasted Lamb Shank with Root Veggies and Potato Pave. For dessert we were served a Butterscotch Creme Brûlée with cookies. What made this meal so special and delicious was that each dish was delicately prepared with the freshest ingredients.

If you are ever in the Twin Cities Area I highly recommend that you go to Travail Kitchen and Amusements. You will not regret going. My meal there was something that I'll remember for a very long time.

The view from where I was sitting 

The Truffle Omelet

The Scallop Carpaccio with Sunchoke and Fondue Bernaisse 

Slow Roasted Lamb with Root Vegetable and Potato Pave 

The one and only Zingermans's Delicatessen

Zingerman's Delicatessen is one of the most well known sandwich shops and delis in Ann Arbor Michigan. Since it first opened on March 15, 1982,  this one of a kind deli has expanded and has become recognized nationally. Recently I was able to visit Zingerman's, and I must say, it was a once in a lifetime experience. When I walked in the front door I was surrounded by artisan cheeses, meats and fresh baked bread. The sandwich line twisted and turned down a ramp, around a couple of corners and out the door. The hour plus wait was well worth it.

Zingerman's menu consists of Corned Beef, Pastrami, Beef, Turkey, Chicken, Pork, Fish, and Vegetarian sandwiches, Hot Dogs and Platters. As you could imagine ordering on this day was not an easy decision. After thinking long and hard, I decided to try #48, The Binny's Brooklyn Reuben. This was one of the best Reuben's I have ever had. I highly recommend you order this sandwich when you visit this deli. It was made in a classic and traditional way.

When you are in Ann Arbor, Zingerman's is a must! Don't be discouraged by the length of the line, because the end result is lights out.